OPA April 8 Monthly Meeting Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the Beach House CoWork (2219 Main St. @ Strand) starting with food and mingling at 6:15pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here is the Zoom link to join the meeting starting at 7:00pm. Here’s the draft agenda and here’s schedule:
- 6:15 – 7:00pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 7:00 – 7:15pm: SMPD update focus on Patrick Cheng from Office of Emergency Management
- 7:15 – 7:30pm: Ericka Lesley, Rent Control Board
- 7:30 – 7:40pm: Santa Monica Conservency & Main St. Tours
- 7:40 – 8:30: Board business, including upcoming calendar of events (MAINopoly, Make Music Day, July 4 Parade, & more)
Beach House Cowork has offered our community a free day pass at their amazing coworking space @ 2219 Main St. Use code “OPA” for a free day!
Santa Monica is an Expensive Place to Live: This SMDP article details that average SaMo household expenses are $3,598 per month, 69.2% higher than the U.S. average of $2,126. Along with rent or mortgage payments, add auto loans, utilities, health & auto insurance, cable & internet, cell phone plans, The average SaMo rent of $2,223 is nearly $1,000 more than the national average of $1,300 per month. While SaMo is the 103rd most expensive city in California, the Marina averages $4,443 per month, fifth in California.
SMPD Stepping Up Distracted Driving Cell Phone Enforcement: This SaMo.gov post details that “April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a time to put safety in the driver’s seat. SMPD will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.”
The Street Seen: The Galley: This Street Seen details the 90-year history of Main St. staple that opened on the SaMo Pier in the mid-1930s before moving to OP in 1946.
New Dedicated Bike Path Segment Planned Along Expo Line: This Patch article details the major step toward closing one of the largest gaps of the bike path that runs parallel to the train tracks for 12 miles, between USC and Santa Monica.
Volunteer for AIDS/Lifecycle 2024: The 7 day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to support their free HIV/AIDS medical care, testing, and other prevention services for thousands of Californians annually ends on the beach in Ocean Park on June 8. Click here to learn more and volunteer.
Santa Monica Wine Auction Tickets Now on Sale: The Ed Foundation is the only organization that raises funds for all Santa Monica public schools. Since 1982, donors have funded more than $23 million in arts and academic programs to ensure that all students thrive. This annual event takes place under the Fairmont Fig Tree on April 21. https://www.smedfoundation.org
Things To Do This Weekend:
- The Other Art Fair (Thursday – Sunday): “Experience-seekers, this one’s for you. We’re reframing art and how you experience it. Here, art is for everyone. We combine affordable and original artworks and 140 independent artists with immersive installations, performances, DJs – and a fully stocked bar.” @ Barker Hanger. More details here.
- Bergamot Comedy Festival (Now – Saturday): The festival will take place at The Crow in Santa Monica, CA from Monday, April 1 – Saturday, April 6 with ticketed performer showcases and FREE educational panels led by industry leaders. Each of the 56 up-and-coming performers featuring at BCF were hand-picked from a thousand submissions across the U.S. with a particular focus on highlighting female-identifying, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ talent. https://www.bergamotcomedyfest.com/tickets
- SaMo Swim Center Family & Friends Splash Night (Friday 4 – 7 pm): What better way to celebrate than with an evening of family fun at the pool? Bring the whole family (and your friends!) and dive into an unforgettable experience. They’ll provide pool floats and an inflatable obstacle course to add an extra element of excitement to your aquatics adventures. Plus indulge your sweet tooth with delicious treats provided for all attendees. @ 2225 16th St. https://santa-monica-atp8.squarespace.com/familysplashday
- Annual Pet-Chewlla Adoption Fair & Pet Festival (Saturday 1-6pm): Expect lots of dog and cat rescues and a lot of local vendors and music @ 210 Main St., Venice. More details here.
- Main St. Sunday Farmers Market: We’re starting off this April, Earth Month celebration with the Dance with Miss Alice Kid Parade at 9:30am and Kiki and the Sunnyside Chalkers. DJ and the Main Street Jam at 10am. Look for the Blue Plate Oysterette pop up this Sunday only! Here’s the full April / Earth Month calendar of events.
- Superbloom Beach Club (Sunday 12 – 7:30pm): This pop-up social club offers a full day of wellness activations, live DJs, beach games, and amazing connections. https://lu.ma/menhf6zw
